Container inspection apparatus



Nov. 15, 1960 F. E. FAUTH CONTAINER INSPECTION APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed July 3. 1956 n. WwH *me WKN. l A. A A N A L I Q@ AT ab o o um T.om.-\- NM @om M P@ Sm Gmac 1@ Q .WMV NN .WW uw@ bmw /W.% f

INVENTOR 2 ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 15, 1960 F. E. FAUTH CONTAINER INSPECTION APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet2 Filed July 5. 1956 NNN NVENTOR:

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Y. Nov. 15, 1960 F. E. FAUTH CONTAINER INSPEGTION APPARATUS Filed July:5, -195e 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYS Nov. 15, 196() F. E. FAUTHCONTAINER INSPECTION APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 3, 1956 0l 1112g' 116" INVENTOR:

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Nov. 15, 1960 F. E. FAUTH CONTAINER INSPECTION APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet5 Filed July 3, 1956 1N VENT OR w JMW f l se] Fraezjck E. Baum, BM QH/t#MMW .mw .www

ATTORNEYS.

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CONTAINER INSPECTIUN APPTUS Frederick E. Fauth, Baltimore, Md., assignorto Crown Cork & Seal Company, luc., Baltimore, Md., a con poration ofNew York Filed July '3, 1956, Ser. No. 595,775

12 Claims. (Cl. 209-88) The present invention relates to a containerinspection apparatus and, more particularly, to an apparatus fordetecting abnormal internal pressures in a filled container.

Under present day packaging procedure, a large proportion of foodproducts are packaged in containers with a low pressure conditionestablished inthe container when the container is closed. An example ofsuch packaging is the packaging of ground coffee in cans or jars, theinterior of the cans or jars being placed under a vacuum and closed. Thevacuum in the container preserves the aroma and flavor of the coiiee forconsiderable time. Another example of packaging under a pressurecondition lower than atmospheric is in the packaging of food productswhere the head space of the filled container is filled with steam priorto and during closing, the temperature ofthe head space beingsubsequently lowered. The condensation of the steam creates lower thanatmospheric pressure in the container.

Although the present invention is disclosed and described in relation toiilled containers being closed with a vacuum or below atmosphericpressure within the con'- tainer, it is of course within the scope ofthe present invention that the apparatus may be used with containerswhere the pressure within the container is greater than atmosphericpressure.

In filled closed containers which are under a pressure either above orbelow atmospheric pressure, the container end structure will -normallyflex depending upon the type of pressure. lf the pressure is belowatmosphere the container end structure will be concave, whereas if thepressure within the container is above atmospheric pressure, the endsurface of the container will be conveX. Depending on the type ofpressure condition desired within the filled closed container, testsmust be made to determine whether the lling and closing apparatus isoperating satisfactorily to close the container with the proper pressureon the interior. Heretofore, the practice has been to spot check theinterior pressure condition of containers by periodically removing afilled and sealed container from the outfeed container line of thefilling and closing apparatus and applying a testing gage to the top ofthe container. Such testing gages usually included an element whichpierced the container top to permit the pressure in the container headspace to flow into the gage. Mutilation of the cap occasioned by suchtesting necessitates returning the container to the capping lineregardless of Whether the head space pressure was abnormal or wascorrect. Such a test was only a sample test or spot check of containersbeing filled and closed. Other arrangements have been tried wherebytests were continuously performed on each of the filled closedcontainers but such apparatus did not prove practical because the outputof the filling and closing apparatus of presentday food `packagingplants is so fast that accurate tests could not be made on each andevery container as it leaves the filling and closing apparatus. Theprior arrangements for testing each container could not also eject acontainer detected as having abnormal internal pres- A 2,960,223Patented Nev. 15,1960

sures when the containers were travelling at high lineal speeds on thetake-olf conveyors.

An object of the present invention is to provide a-container inspectionapparatus for detecting abnormal internal pressures of filled closedcontainers which can be utilized in inspecting each container fed to itfrom the container filling and closing apparatus regardless of theoutput speed of the filling and closing apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a containerinspection apparatus for detecting abnormal internal pressures of filledclosed containers which oper ates simultaneously on a plurality offilled closed con tainers travelling in a line.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a containerinspection apparatus which will simultaneously test a plurality ofiilled closed containers for abnormal internal pressures, the apparatusbeing provided with mechanism for ejecting any of the containersdetected with abnormal internal pressures from the container line.

Still another object of the present invention is to pro vide a containerinspection apparatus which is completely independent of the containerlling and closing apparatus. Ancillary to the above it is another objectof the present invention to provide a container inspection apparatuscapable of being used with existing conveyor lines in food packagingplants. By having the apparatus adjustable to different heights it isobvious that the apparatus will be adjustable to the height of anexisting conveyor line in the plant at any position desired between theclosure applying machine and subsequent apparatus such asa cartonpackaging machine. The advantages of having an independent unit arefirst, the cost of manufacture of the unit is materially reduced andsecond, the unit may be used at any station in the conveyor line when itis not advantageous to use it immediately adjacent the closure applyingmachine. The second advantage will be apparent when utilizing thecontainer inspection apparatus With tilling and closing apparatuswherein steam is placed in the headl space of the container land thecontainer is then closed and cooled.

A further object of the present invention is to provide testing ordetecting heads for container inspection apparatus which will operateeiciently either on glass jars or the like closed with a metal `cap oron cans having a double seam employed to hold the container ends ontothe container body.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide acontainer inspection apparatus having a plurality of testing heads tooperate on a plurality of groups of successive filled closed containers,the testing heads being capable of individual adjustment for containerend deflection established by the characteristics of the container andits correlation to pressure or vacuum range as dictated by theprocesser.

These and other objects of the present invention will be more apparentfrom the following specification, claims and drawings, in which:

Figure l is a side elevational view of the container inspectionapparatus of the present invention, portions of the View being partiallyin section and portions of the apparatus being omitted for purposes ofclarity.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the container inspection apparatus of Figurel, portions of the view being in section.

Figure 3 is anl end elevational View of the apparatus disclosed inFigure l and looking from the right end thereof, portions of the viewrelating to the memory device drive being shown in section.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View of a testing head ofthe present invention and the means 0 for mounting the same.

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the testing headdisclosed in Figure 4 and showing a container end in engagement with thetesting head.

Figure 6 is a view taken on the 1ine66 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a modifiedform of testing head.

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the testing head disclosed in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the switchmounting means of the testing head disclosed in Figure 7.

Figure 10 is a top plan view of the memory device of the presentinvention.

Figure 1l is a side elevational view of the memory ldevice disclosed inFigure lO.

Figure 12 is a view of the memory device taken on the line 12-12 ofFigure l1, and

Figure 13 is a wiring diagram Ifor the testing heads and vcontainerreject unit of the present invention.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Referring specifically to the drawings and, moreparticularly to Figures l, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the con- `structionand operation of the container inspection apparatus illustrated in theapplication ymay be generally described as follows:

The container inspection or testing apparatus includes a frame generallydesignated by the numeral 10 mounted on a base 12 and including a'table14. The upper surface of table 14 is adapted to support the top run of ailat top straight line conveyor 16 (Figure 2) on which moves lled closedcontainers A travelling from a container closing machine (not shown) tosubsequent apparatus, such as a container labeling machine or containerpackaging machine (not shown). Containers A travel at random on conveyor16 in a substantially straight path until they reach the containerinspection apparatus at which time they are spaced longitudinally alongthe conveyor by means of a generally cylindrical container spacingelement 4125.

Base 12 of frame 10 may be adjusted vertically so as to raise or lowerthe table 14 to accommodate the apparatus to the height of the straightline conveyor 16. A more detailed description of the vertical adjustmentof the table 14 will appear later in the specification.

Cylindrical container spacing element 18 is mounted on vframe 10 inparallel alignment with but to one side of container conveyor 16.Cylindrical element 18 has its periphery provided with a helical groove20 for engaging and spacing containers A travelling at random on astraight line on conveyor 16. A container guide element or rail 22(Figure 2) having a vertical planar face 24 is supported on table 14opposite from the cylindrical container spacing element 18. The purposeof guide element 22 is to conne and direct the incoming containers Ainto the helical grooves 20 of the cylindrical element 18 and to retainthe containers in the grooves as the containers are transferred throughthe container inspection apparatus. As previously mentioned cylindricalelement 18 is mounted on the table with its longitudinal axis parallelto and to one side of the path of moving containers. Cylindrical element18 is pivotally mounted in such manner that it is resiliently urgedtoward the containers in order that it may be pivoted away from thecontainers should an upset container cause a jam or should thecontainers improperly enter the grooves 20. A more detailed discussionof the mounting means for cylindrical element 18 will follow later inthe specification.

Mounted on frame 10 above and in alignment with container conveyor 16 isa testing mechanism generally designated by the numeral 26 for detectingabnormal internal pressures in the containers A. The testing ordetecting mechanism 26 is provided with a plurality of testing heads 28spaced apart a distance equal to the 4 spacing between containers asdetermined by the cylindrical element 18. Each of the testing heads isadapted to engage a container end and determine if 'the container end isflexed within the limits set up by the processor.

A unitary source of power 3i), such as an electric motor or the like, ismounted on frame 10 to drive the cylindrical container spacing element18 in synchronism with the testing mechanism 26, whereby a plurality ofcontainers A travelling on the straight line conveyor 16 are positionedbeneath the individual testing heads 28 and tested for proper internalpressure conditions simultaneously. The movement of the testing heads 28is simultaneous with the movement of containers A and, each testing head28 will engage a container thereunder to determine if that particularcontainer has abnormal internal pressures. After a test has been made ona plurality of containers by the plurality of testing heads 28, a secondgroup of containers moving on conveyor 16 are spaced by cylindricalelement 18 and transferred under the testing heads where they aresubsequently tested. The movement of the testing heads in a circularorbital path is simultaneous with the movement of containers A onconveyor 16 when the containers are in engagement with and spaced by thecontainer spacing element 18. Consequently, successive groups ofcontainers can be continuously tested without the movement of thecontainer line being stopped or slowed down.

A memory device 32 carried on frame structure 10 is electricallyconnected to the testing heads 28 and when any of the testing heads 28detect a container having abnormal internal pressures, such detection issignaled to the memory device and, in timed sequence with the movementof the conveyors from beneath the testing heads, such containersdetected as having abnormal pressures are ejected from the containerline. An ejector unit generally designated by the numeral 34 is operatedby the memory device to eject containers detected as having abnormalpressures from the container line onto `a reject table generallyindicated by the numeral 36. A more detailed description of the memorydevice 32 and the container ejector unit or mechanism 34 will bedescribed later in the specific-ation;

Although the preferred arrangement of the present invention is disclosedin the drawings as incorporating three testing heads for operatingsimultaneously on three filled closed containers spaced therebeneath, itis well within the scope of the present invention to either decrease orincrease the number of testing heads 28 so that any desired number ofcontainers may be tested in a given cycle of the testing mechanism 26.

Frame and drive The container inspection apparatus of the presentinvention includes essentially the cylindrical container spacing element18, the testing heads 2S of the testing mechanism 26, the memory unit 32and the container ejector device 34. Each of these elements, as well asthe central source of power 30, are mounted on the frame so that theapparatus is a completely independent assembly or unit which may beutilized with existing container lines in a container packaging plant.The advantage of having a completely independent unit allows for freedomof location of the unit in the packaging line and, thus, materiallyincreases the utility of the apparatus with -already existing equipmentin the packaging plants or the like. The cost of manufacture andmaintenance of :an independent unit is materially reduced from thoseunits which are incorporated in an existing container closing machine ormanufactured as part of`a container closing machine.

Referring now to Figures l and 2 it will be noted that the cylindricalcontainer spacing element 18, the testing mechanism 26 and the source ofpower 3i) are all mounted on the framestructure 1i) in such a manner astoV be positioned on the same side of the table 14, consequently, on

assenza the same side of the straightline conveyor 16 when the apparatusis positioned in the conveyor line. In addition, each of the foregoingunits are mounted above the upper surface of table 14 and, consequently,the access to each of the units is readily available for maintenance andooservation. Further, providing all ofthe operating units on one side ofthe table allows the operator to observe containers passing through theapparatus during operation.

As best shown in Figures l and 3, frame is supported on spaced verticalstandards or posts 11 which telescope into the frame and are rigidlysecured thereto by bolts 35. The lower ends of standards 11 telescopeinto the base members 12 and are detachably held in an adjustablevertical position by means of the bolts 13. By having the standards 11telescope into the base members 12, the -fr-ame 10 may be adjustedvertically to any desired height so that its table 14 may be broughtinto proper position with respect to the straight line conveyor 16 whichit supports on its upper surface. Adjustment of the table L14 verticallyadapts the container inspection apparatus of the present invention foruse with existing conveyor lines in plants regardless of the conveyorsheight above the iloor.

The guide rail 22 which runs parallel to conveyor 16 and on an oppositeside of the conveyor from the container spacing element 18 may besupported on suitable brackets 23 which are adjustably bolted to thetable 14, as indicated at 25. By making the guide rail 22 adjustabletransversely of conveyor 16, the guide rail may be adjusted for variousdiameter containers.

The unitary source of power 3i) is adapted to drive the testingmechanism 26, the container spacing element 18, and the memory device32. The drive between the unitary source of power 30 and the testingmechanism 26, as well as the conveyor spacing element 18 issubstantially identical to that disclosed in the copending applicationof Carl L. Day and Frederick E. Fauth, filed June 22, 1953, and seriallynumbered 363,094 Iand now United States Patent No. 2,768,656, issuedOctober 30, 1956. Only such details of the drive as are necessary forunderstanding the operation of the container inspection mechanism willbe repeated herein.

As best shown in Figures l, 2 and 3, the unitary source of power 30 isan electric motor slidably mounted on a base 37 carried on the frame1t?. The motor 38 is provided with a drive shaft 38 on which is mounteda Reeves type of pulley 40. Positioned on the frame a suitable distancefrom motor 38 is a speed reductor unit 42 having a pulley 44 which isdriven by the belt or chain 46. Belt or chain 46 passes over the Reevestype of pulley 40 and the pulley 44. Movement of the motor toward or-away from the speed reductor unit 42 increases or decreases the speedof the pulley 44 because of the Reeves pulley drive 40 on motor 30. Asuitable hand crank 48 may be used to adjust the position of theconstant speed of the electric motor 30.

Speed reductor unit 42 is provided with two driven shafts 50 and 52. Thedriven shaft Si) is provided with a sprocket gear 54 which is adapted toreceive an endless chain `drive 56 that passes over an idler sprocketgear 53 and a sprocket gear 69. As disclosed in the aforementioned Dayand Fauth application rotation of the sprocket gear 54 will rotate thesprocket gear 60 which in turn rotates a drive shaft 62. Drive shaft 62at its other end is provided with a sprocket gear `64 that meshes with asprocket gear 66 mounted on the end or" cylindrical spacing containerelement 18.

As shown in Figure l and described in detail in the aforementioned Dayand Fauth patent, the cylindrical spacing container element 18 ispivotally mounted on a torque tube 68 and is normally urged toward theconveyor 16 and guide rail 22 by a spring 78. Suitable stops, suc-h asshown in Figure ll of the aforementioned Day and Fauth patent, areprovided to limit the movement of the spacing element 18 toward theconveyor 16 and guide rail 22, the stops being adjustable so that thedistance between '6 the element 18 and the guide rail can be adjusted.By mounting the spacing element 18 in the manner just previ'- ouslydescribed, it is now obvious that the element 18 can swing away from theconveyor 16 and guide rail 22 should there be a container causing a jamin the apparatus.

The adjustment of element 13' longitudinally of its axis for timing itshelical groove or thread 20 so `as to properly position containers underthe testing heads 28 may be done in yan identical manner as fullydisclosed in the aforementioned Day and Fauth patent.

Drive shaft 52 of speed reductor unit 42 is adapted to drive a geartrain (not shown) which will rotate a pair of crank members 72. Each ofthe crank members 72 is provided with a horizontal shaft 74 on which-ismounted a carrier member 76. The carrier member 76 supports the threetesting heads 28. When the crank members 72 are rotated through the geartrain (not shown) by the drive shaft 52 of speed conductor unit 42 theywill move the carrier member 76 in a vertical circular orbit so thateach of the testing members 28 which are mounted on the carrier member76 move in a vertical circular orbit and thereby reciprocate relative tothe containers passing therebeneath on the conveyor 16 and spaced by thecontainer spacing element 18;

Drive shaft 52 of speed reductor unit 42 is provided with a gear 73which meshes with a gear 80 mounted on a drive shaft 82 of memory device32. Drive shaft 82 when rotated will operate the memory device- 32 intimed synchronism with the movement of the testing heads 28 and thecontainers A on conveyor 16, as will be described later in thespecification.

Testing head mechanism Referring now to 'Figures 4, 5 and 6, the testingmechanism of the present invention includes the three testing heads 28mounted on the carrier member 76 for movement in a vertical planethrough a circular orbit. The carrier member 76 is provided with spacedvertical bosses 84 which carry a tubular bushing 86. The tubular bushing86 is fixed to the bosses 84 by means of a bolt 88 (Figure 3). Anothertubular bushing 90 having an annular ilange or ring 92 at its upper endis adapted to fit into the bushing 86 and be supported therein. Thelower end of bushing is threaded, `as indicated at 94, for receiving acollet or chuck 96. Bushing 970 4is provided with a vertical slot 93:into which the end of lbolt 88 is received.V Consequently, bushing 90may move vertically upwardly with respect to bush-ing 86 and carriermember 76 and the testing heads 28 can accommodate containers varyingslightly in heigth.

A shaft 98 provided on testing head 28 is adapted to be received inbushing 98 and ixedly attached thereto in an adjusted position by wedges9S of the collet 96. The lower end of the shaft 98 is received in aiiexible tubular coupling member 19t) which is made of a non-currentconducting material, such as rubber or the like. A set screw 102 fixesthe coupling member 100 on the lower end of shaft 98. A second verticalshaft 194 in alignment with vertical `shaft 98 Iis supported in couplingmember by set screw 105. A current-conducting coil wire 186 electricallyconnects shaft 98 with shaft 104. By providing the liexible couplingmember 100 between the shafts 98 and 184, compensation is made forplanar discrepancies between the gaging points and the gaged surface.Mounted on the lower end of shaft 104 is the testing head 28 whichincludes a cup-shaped member 198' having a plate member 110 bolted toits lower surface, as indicated at 112. The plate member is providedwith downwardly extending anges 114 which are adapted to fit around theperiphery of a container to center the same when the container is beingtested for abnormal internal pressures.

The cup-shaped member 108 is provided with a cavity 116 (Figure 5) inwhich is mounted a microswitch 118. The micro-switch 118-, carried by abracket 120a is axially positioned with respect to the plate member 110.Carried on the vertical aXis of plate member 110 is a pin element 122which is adapted to be moved vertically by a container having abnormalinternal pressures, to thereby close the normally open micro-switch 113.Three equally spaced gaging pins or screws 124 are carried by the platemember 110 and are adapted to engage the end of container A adjacent theouter periphery of the end. The pins or screws 124 may be adjustedvertically with respect to the plate member 110 so as to determine theclosing position of the switch 118 by the switch pin 122 within a rangedictated by the processer. To make an adjustment of the screws 124, itis merely necessary to loosen lock nuts 126 and then thread the screwsupwardly or downwardly as the case may be until a desired position isattained. If the screws 124 are threaded downwardly with respect to theplate member 110, it will require more movement of the flexible end of acontainer to actuate the switch 118 than if the screws 124 werelthreaded upwardly of the plate member 110.

By providing screws 124 to engage the end of a container A, as shown inFigure 5, the testing head 23 of the present invention may be used todetect containers such as cans having a double seam to fasten the canend to the can body, The screws 124 engage the end of the container and,thus, variations in the seam do not eiect the measurement of themovement of the end of the container with respect to the container body.

Referring now to Figure the container A is shown with its end 128 in aposition which it normally `assumes when the container is properlyvacuumized. The dotted line position of the container end 128 is theposition the end would be deliected if the container was not properlyvacuumized and such a position would cause the pin 122 to movevertically upwardly with respect to the plate member 110 and engage andclose the micro-switch 118. Closing of the micro-switch 118 will causethe memory device 32 to actuate the ejector unit 34 so that thecontainer can be ejected from the line of filled containers havingnormal internal pressure conditions. A more detailed discussion of theopeartion of the testing heads in conjunction with the memory device 32and the ejector unit 34 will follow later in the specification.

Referring now to Figures 7, 8 and 9, a modified form of testing head 28is disclosed. The testing head 28 is provided with the same verticalshafts 9S and 104 coupled together by the compensating or iiexiblecoupling member 100, but the testing head 28" includes a novel means ofadjusting the opening and closing of the microswitch for a desiredmovement or flexing of the container end. The testing head 23 isprovided with a cupshaped member 108 bolted to a plate member 110' bythe bolts 112'. A bore 130 is provided in the upper end of thecup-shaped member 10% for receiving the end of vertical shaft 104. 'I'hebore 130 also provides a cavity into which a set screw 132 is threadedtransversely of the axis thereof. Set screw 132 has a tapered end 133which is adapted to engage the end of a vertical pin member 134 carriedby the cup-shaped member 108. Pin member 134 extends into the cavity 116of cup-shaped member 108 and a bracket 136 is mounted on its end. TheL-shaped bracket 136 supports a micro-switch 1118'. A coil spring 138normally urges the pin member 134 and its bracket 136 into engagementwith the tapered end of said screw `132. A switch pin 122', verticallymovable with respect to the plate member 110', is adapted to engage themicroswitch 11S and close the same.

By threading the set screw 132 inwardly, as viewed in Figure 7, thedistance which the pin I122 must travel to close the switch 118 is lessthan if the set screw 132 is threaded outwardly, and, thus, the openingand closing of the switch may be accurately adjusted according to thelimits or range dictated by the processor. In the modified testing head28', disclosed in Figures 7,

8 and 9, adjustable gagng pins i124 are not necessary since adjustmentof the range of operation of the microswitch is made by Verticalmovement of the micro-switch with respect to the pin 122.. By moving themicroswitch 11S to vary its range of operation, the container endcontacts the lower surface of plate member i110 as well as the switchpin 122' for the gaging points. The contacting surface of plate 110 ofFigure 7 is usable on jars. This adjusting means is also used inconjunction with flanged plate 110 and locating pins i124 when used oncans.

Memory device and container reject unit Referring now to Figures 2, l0and ll, the memory device 32 is mounted at a convenient location onframe 1i) so that it may be driven off of the speed reductor unit 32 insynchronism with container spacing element 18 and testing mechanism 26.In more detail, the drive shaft 52 of the speed reductor unit 42 isprovided with the pinion gear 78 (Figure 3) which meshes with the drivegear 80 for driving the memory device. Drive gear S0 is lixed to one endof shaft 82, as indicated at 142, the shaft being journalled in a pairof spaced pillow blocks 149 suitably mounted on the frame 10, asindicated in Figure 2. A pair of spaced vertical plates 144 and 146respectively, are provided with aligned apertures and receive the otherend of shaft 82. The vertical plates 144 and 146 are secured together inany suitable manner, such as by lthe circumferential plates 148, asshown in Figures l0 and lll and in turn are fixed to the frame 10 by abracket 150. A disk member 152 is centrally positioned between theplates 144 and 146 and is supported for rotation on the shaft 82.

Disk member 152 is provided with a plurality of transverse holes 154,the holes being spaced circumferentially on the disk member 152. Mountedin each hole is a pin element 156 having a head 158. The pin elements156 which are positioned in the circumferentially spaced holes 154 areadapted to move transversely of the disk member 152, as will bedescribed in more detail later in the specification.

A plurality of magnetic coils 16E), i162 and 164 are circumferentiallyspaced on the plate 144, as shown in Figure 12. Any suitable means maybe used to hold the magnetic coils in position on the plate 144, such asthe arcuate bracket 166. The coils 160, 162 and `164 are so positionedthat they will be in alignment with the holes in the disk 152 as vthedisk rotates with respect to the plate 144. The energizing of any of thecoils 160, 162 or 164 will dispose the pin which is opposite the same tothe right of Figure l0 so that the pin will be in a position to strike aswitch arm 168 of microswitch 170, as best shown in Figures l'l and l2.Microswitch 170 controls operation of the ejector unit 34 so that acontainer detected as having abnormal internal pressures may be ejectedfrom `the line of containers as they are transferred from the containerinspection apparatus. A permanent magnet 172 is mounted on plate 146,the permanent magnet being so positioned as to return the pins 156 tothe left of Figures l0 and ll after the pins have been disposed so as toactuate the switch It is now evident that the disk member 152continuously rotates in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed inFigure 12. The disk member carries the pins 156 normally disposed to theleft, as shown in Figures l() and l1. Since each of the coils 166, 162and 164 are electrically connected by one of the testing heads 28, thecoils will be energized should the testing heads detect a containerhaving abnormal internal pressures. In other words, the testing head 23to the lett of Figure l is electrically connected to the coil 169,whereas, the center testing head and the testing head to the right ofFigure `l are connected respectively to the coils 162 and 164. As thedisk member 152 rotates, a container detected as having abnormalpressure by the testing head 28 at the left of Figure l closes theswitch 118 of that testing head, causing momentary energizing of thecoil 160 and, the pin 156 which, at that time, is disposed opposite ofthe coil, is drawn to the right o-f Figure -by the coil. The end of thepin extending out of the disk member 152 will then be in a position tooperate the switch-actuating arm 168 to close switch 1170, but the diskmust travel from a position where the pin is adjacent the coil l1611 toa position where the pin strikes .the switch-actuating arm 168. In themeantime, the container, which has been detected as having abnormalpressure by the testing head 28 at the left of Figure l, will have movedto a position opposite the ejector unit 34. The action of the closing ofswitch 170 will be simultaneous with the movement of the container to aposition opposite the ejector unit 34 which is then operated to ejectthe container transversely `from the line of containers onto the rejecttable 36. The continued rotation of disk member 152 -will bring the pinwhich has been disposed to the right of Figure 10 adjacent the permanentmagnet 172 where the pin is attracted to the left and, thus, is in aposition to pass the coils 160, 162 and 164. llf none of the coils areenergized, pins disposed to the left of Figure 10 will remain in thatposition as they are carried past the coils so that they cannot operatethe switch 170. Each of the coils 160', 162' and 164 is so placed awayfrom the switch-actuating arm 168 that the time lapse between themovement of a disposed pin by a coil to the switch-actuating arm will besuch that it will actuate the ejector unit 34 when the detectedlcontainer has moved from under a particular testing head to a positionadjacent the ejector unit 34.

The ejector unit 34 is supported on frame 10 at the discharge end of thecontainer inspection apparatus. Ejector unit 34 comprises an aircylinder 174, a piston 176 operable by the air cylinder 174 and asolenoidoperated air valve 178. Solenoid-operated air valve 178 iselectrically connected to the micro-switch 17 0 and when it ismomentarily energized it will permit the piston 176 of air cylinder 174to complete an out and back cycle. A suitable source of compressed airis fed to a pressure regulator 180 and from the pressure regulator theair is delivered by a conduit 182 to the solenoid-operated air valve178. A suitable gage 184 is provided on the pressurel regulator 180 sothat the amount of air pressure for operating the piston 176 can bedetermined and adjusted. Suitable means may be provided for adjustingthe length and time of the stroke of piston 176. As shown in Figure 2the piston 176 is adapted to move transversely across the path ofcontainers A travelling on the conveyor 16. The end of piston 176 willengage a containerV detected as having abnormal internal pressures andmove thev container onto the reject table 36. Immediately after thecontainer has been ejected onto table 36, the piston 17 6 will returnback to its normal inoperative position so that containers having normalinternal pressures can beV continuously transferred without interruptionby conveyor 16 between guide rails 186 and 188 to other apparatus in theplant.

Wiring diagram Figure 13 discloses the wiring diagram for the testingheads 28, memory device 32, and ejector unit 34. In more detail, atransformer 190 is provided to reduce the voltage to the apparatus so asnot to endanger the operating personnel. The transformer has a primarycoil 192 connected to a suitable source of power and secondary coils 194and 196.

A current conducting line 198 is connected to secondary coil 194 atterminal 200 and to each of the magnetic coils 160, 162 and 164. Coil160 in turn is connected to ground through a current conducting line 202which includes the normally open micro-switch 118 of the testing head 28positioned at' the left of Figure l. Also,

provided in the current conducting line 202v is'V a jack 204 whichengages a plug 206. Magnetic coil 162 is connected to ground by acurrent conducting line 208 which contains the normally openmicro-switch 118 of the testing head 28 positioned centrally of thetesting heads in Figure l. The current conducting line 208 also has ajack 210 and a plug 212 which receives the same. Magnetic coil 164 isconnected to ground by a current conducting line 214 which includes thenormally open micro-switch 118 of the testing head shown at the right ofFigure l. A jack 216 received in the plug 218 is also provided in line214. As is now evident when any of the micro-switches 118 are closed thecircuit to the particular coil 160, 162 or 164 is completed and the coilis energized so as to move one of the pins 156 to the right of Figure10.

As the disk 152, carrying the disposed pin 156, continues to rotate, thepin will contact arm 168 and close the micro-switch 170 which is in acurrent conducting line 220 connected to the terminal 222 of secondarycoil 196. Since the solenoid-operated air valve 178 is in the circuit ofline 220, the solenoid valve will be momentarily energized so as toactuate the air piston 176 to eject the container detected as havingabnormal pressure in,

proper time sequence of its movement from under the particular testinghead to a position opposite the piston.

A second current conducting line 224 is connected to terminal 200 ofcoil 194. The current conducting line 224 is provided with a test lamp226 and a jack terminal 228. When it is desired to adjust each of thetesting heads 28 prior to operation of the containerinspectionapparatus, it is merely necessary to remove the jack 204, 210 or 216from the testing head being adjusted and insert the jack 228 in itsplace. When the switch 118 of that particular testing head has beenadjusted to close at a proper position, the lamp 226 will light,indicating that a proper adjustment has been made. The test lamp 226 maybe conveniently positioned on the frame, as indicated in Figure l and,its jack 228 may be positioned below the same.

'I'he ground for the various electrical units of the apparatus is shownin the wiring diagram of Figure 13v as line 230, but of course it isunderstood that the ground is through the frame of the apparatus. Inthis respect, reference is made to Figures 4 and S, wherein themicroswitch 118 is shown as grounded through the cup-shaped member 108of the testing head to the vertical shaft 104 and in turn to thevertical shaft 98 through the coil wire 106.

Although the wiring diagram of Figure 13 has been described inconnection with the testing heads 28, it is of course within the scopeof the invention that the same wiring diagram could be utilized with themodied form of testing head 28 disclosed in Figures 7, 8 and 9.

Operation The operation of the container inspection apparatus of thepresent invention may be brieily described as follows:

First, each individual testing head 28 is adjusted to determine theexact point of switch actuation for a container having abnormal internalpressure. A container which has an abnormal internal pressure asdetermined by the processer is placed under the testing head 28 when thetesting headv is in the position shown in Figure 1. that is, at the mostdownward point of its path of travel in its vertical circular orbit.Assuming the testing head 28 on the left hand side of Figure 1 is beingadjusted, the plug 206 is removed from the jack 204 and inserted intothe jack 228 of the test lamp circuit 224. The three adjustment screws124 are then turned either up or down to a point where the movableswitch pin 122 actuates the switch 118 to cause the lamp 226 to light.When this occurs, the testing head 28 under consideration is properlyadjusted for detecting a container, which has abnormal internalpressures causing its end to deflect' a pre- 11 determined amount. Thetest is then repeated for each of the other testing heads 28.

After the testing heads 28 have been adjusted to accurately establishthe exact switch actuation, the apparatus may then be started andcontinuously operated. Motor 30 is started and it in turn will cause thetesting heads 28 to move simultaneously in a vertical circular orbit.Motor 30 also rotates the container spacing element 18 on itslongitudinal axis so that as containers A are advanced in random onconveyor 16 they will be properly spaced in synchronism with themovement of the testing heads 28. The three testing heads 28j will movedownwardly and forwardly simultaneously and engage three spacedcontainers on the conveyor 16 to determine if any of the threecontainers has an abnormal internal pressure. Assuming that one of thecontainers being tested has an abnormal pressure it will actuate theswitch 118 of the particular testing head which is in engagementtherewith. The switch 118 when closed will energize the magnetic coil ofthe memory device 32 which is in its circuit, causing the pin 156 of therotating disk 152 which happens to be adjacent thereto, to be disposedto the right, as viewed in Figure l0. When the pin is disposed to theright, it will, upon further rotation of the disk member 152, strike theswitch-actuating arm 168 and close the switch 170 to thereby momentarilyenergize the solenoidoperated air valve 178. Momentary energization ofthe solenoid-operated air valve 178 will cause the piston 176 of ejectorunit 34 to move transversely across the path of containers beingdischarged from the machine. The container which will be adjacent thepiston at the time the piston moves across the path of containers is thesame container which was under the testing head detecting the abnormalinternal pressure condition of the container, the movement of thecontainer being in timed sequence with the movement of the pin from thetime it is disposed by the coil of the memory device 32 to the time itactuates the switch 170. The rejected container is received on thereject table 36, while containers with normal internal pressures areallowed to pass onto subsequent apparatus, such as a labeling or casingmachine.

The novel testing heads 28 and 28" of the present invention may beutilized to test pressure conditions on containers such as glass jarshaving caps that will deflect under pressure conditions or on canshaving ends which deect on abnormal internal pressure conditions. Intesting of cans, the centralizing type of testing head 2S or 28 is notelected by the variation found in the height of the double seam usuallyemployed to hold the can end to the can body. The double seam of a canis used merely as a guide surface for locating purposes when the testinghead engages the can end to test the same.

Although the testing heads 28 and 28 have been described in connectionwith detecting containers having higher internal pressure than desired,it is of course within the scope of the present invention that theapparatus could be utilized to detect containers having lower internalpressure than desired. In the iirst instance filled' containers whichare vacuumized would have an outward end deiiection if a proper vacuumwas not obtained within the container, whereas in the second instancecontainers placed under an internal pressure higher than atmospherewould have an inward deflection of the container end if the pressure wasnot within the desired range.

The terminology used in this specilication is for the purpose ofdescription and not limitation, :the scope of the invention beingdefined in the claims.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for detecting filled containers having abnormalinternal pressures, a container conveyor for continuously transferringcontainers in a row, a stationary frame structure, a plurality oftesting heads carried by said frame structure above and in alignmentwith said container conveyor, means cooperating with said containerconveyor to space containers travelling thereon as they pass beneathsaid plurality of testing heads, means for simultaneously moving saidtesting heads into and out of simultaneous engagement with a pluralityof containers, said testing heads each having a switch thereon operablewhen said testing heads are in engagement with a container havingabnormal internal pressures, a container reject indicator 4memorydevice, said memory device including a rotating disk having a pluralityof movable pins on its periphery, a plurality of magnetic coils, one ofsaid coils being connected to each of said switches and positionedadjacent said rotary disk, said magnetic coils being energized upon theclosing of said switches to move the pins on said rotary disk, a rejectswitch positioned adjacent said rotary disk and in the path of the pinsthereon when the pins are disposed by energizing of said coils, andejector means for ejecting containers detected with abnormal internalpressures from the row of containers, said ejector means including apiston member positioned adjacent the container conveyor and movableacross the rows of containers traveling thereon, said piston memberbeing operated by closing said reject switch by any of the pins on saiddisk when disposed by energizing of any of said magnetic coils,

2. An apparatus of the character described in claim l wherein saidcontainer spacing means includes a helically threaded cylindricalelement positioned above and along side of said container conveyor andextending beneath said testing heads, said cylindrical element beingrotated on a horizontal axis in timed relationship with the simultaneousmovement of said plurality of testing heads to thereby continuouslyposition a successive plurality of containers beneath said testingheads.

3. In an apparatus of the character described in claim l wherein saidcontainer conveyor transfers containers in a straight line beneath saidtesting heads and wherein said testing head moving means moves saidtesting heads simultaneously in a circular orbit in timed synchronismwith the movement of containers on said container conveyor.

4. A mechanism of the character described in claim l including means toadjust the opening and closing of the switch on each testing head.

5. In a apparatus tor detecting iilled containers having abnormalinternal pressures, a testing head mechanism including a support member,a vertical member connected to said support at its upper end, a testinghead connected to said vertical member at its lower end, said supportmember being adapted to move said vertical member and said testing headinto and out of engagement with the end surface of a containerpositioned therebeneath, said testing head including a stationarycontainer engaging member and a second container engaging member movablerelative to said lirst member when in contact with another portion ofthe container end surface, said testing head also including a switchoperable by predetermined movement of said second member with respect tosaid first member, means responsive to operation of said switch toindicate a container having an abnormal internal pressure, and means tocompensate said testing head or irregularities in the end surface of acontainer being tested, said compensating means i includes providingsaid vertical member with an upper vertical shaft and a lower verticalshaft spaced vertically therefrom, said upper and lower vertical shaftsbeing connected together by a iiexible member.

6. A mechanism of the character described in claim 4, including anindicator light, and means to individually disconnect each switch ofsaid testing heads from its respective magnetic coil and to connect eachswitch to said indicator light when the switch is being adjusted.

7. An apparatus of the character described in claim 5 wherein saidexible member is a tubular rubber sleeve 13 adapted to t on the lowerend of the upper vertical shaft and the upper end of the lower verticalshaft.

8. An apparatus of the character described in claim 7 wherein saidswitch in said test head is grounded through said vertical member, acurrent conducting wire being provided between the lower end of saidupper vertical shaft and the upper end of said lower Vertical shaft.

9. In an apparatus for detecting illed containers having abnormalinternal pressure, a testing head adapted to be moved into engagementwith the end surface of a container to determine the end deection of thecontainer, a switch carried by said testing head and operable when thedeection of the end surface of the container is such as to indicateabnormal pressure Within the container, means operable by said switch toindicate a container having abnormal internal pressure and means toadjust limits of opening and closing of said switch, said switchadjustment means including a rst member on said testing head forengaging contact with the end surface of the container and a secondmember on said testing head movable with respect to said tirst memberfor engaging contact with a different portion of the end surface of thecontainer, said rst member being adjustable with respect to said secondmember and said second member being ladapted to be moved by a containerhaving abnormal internal pressures to thereby operate said switch.

10. In an apparatus for detecting lled containers having abnormalinternal pressures, a container conveyor means for moving containers inla row in spaced relationship with each other, a frame structure, aplurality of testing heads carried by said frame structure abovecontainers moving on said container conveyor means, means to move saidtesting heads in a vertical orbital path so as to simultaneously engageand simultaneously test a plurality of containers, a switch in each ofsaid testing heads adapted -to be operated when said testing headsengage the end surface of a container having abnormal pressure, acontainer rejecting means for rejecting containers detected as having|abnormal internal pressures., a memory device operable by any switch ofany switch of any of said testing heads, said memory device operatingsaid container rejecting means to reject a container detected byoperation of the particular switch, means to individually adjust theopening and closing of the switch in each of said testing heads, anindicator light, and means to disconnect a switch being adjusted fromsaid memory device, said last-mentioned means including means to connectthe switch being tested to said indicator light.

11. In an yapparatus for detecting lled containers having abnormalinternal pressures, a container conveyor for continuously transferringcontainers in a row, a stationary frame structure, a plurality oftesting heads carried by said frame structure above and in alignmentwith said container conveyor, means cooperating with said contalnerconveyor to space containers travelling thereon as they pass beneathsaid plurality of testing heads, means for simultaneously moving saidtesting heads into and out of simultaneous engagement with a pluralityof containers, said testing heads each having a switch thereon operablewhen said testing heads are in engagement with a container havingabnormal internal pressures, a container reject indicator memory device,said memory device including a rotating disk having a plurality ofmovable pins on its periphery, a plurality of magnetic coils, one ofsaid coils being connected to each of said switches and positionedadjacent said rotary disk, said magnetic coils being energized upon theclosing of said switches to move the pins on said rotary disk, a rejectswitch positioned adjacent said rotary disk and in the path of the pinsthereon when the pins are disposed by energizing of said coils, ejectormeans for ejecting containers detected With abnormal internal pressuresfrom the row of containers, said ejector means being operated by closingsaid reject switch by any of the pins on said disk when disposed byenergizing of any o-f said magnetic coils, means to adjust the openingand closing of the switch of each testing head, an indicator light andmeans to individually disconnect each switch of said testing heads fromits respective magnetic coil and to connect each switch to saidindicator light when the switch is being adjusted.

l2. In an apparatus for detecting containers having abnormal internalpressure, a testing head adapted to be moved into engagement with theend surface of a container to determine the end deflection of thecontainer, a switch carried by said testing head, a switch operatingmember carried by said testing head, said switch operating member beingmovable with respect to said testing head upon engaging the end surfaceof a container having abnormal internal pressure, means operable by saidswitch to indicate a container having abnormal internal pressure, meansto adjust limits of opening and closing of said switch, said adjustmentmeans including means to adjustably mount said switch with respect tosaid switch operating member, said switch mounting means including abracket resiliently mounted in said testing head and normally urged awayfrom said switch operating member, ya stem on said bracket, and a setscrew carried by said testing head and having a tapered end engagingsaid stem for adjusting said bracket and the switch carried thereby withrespect to the switch operating member.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,093,429 Foss Sept. 21, 1937 2,217,342 Lad-fach Oct. 8, 1940 2,293,586Bardet et al. Aug. 18, 1942 2,352,091 Fedorchak et a1. June 20, 19442,407,062 Darrah Sept. 3, 1946 2,596,342 McNutt et al. May 13, 19522,696,296 Simpson Dec. 7, 1954 2,748,937 lCasler et al. June 5, 19562,821,300 Bonger et al. Ian. 28, 1958

